The Minns government is investing in the mental health of regional communities with a new $335,000 12-month pilot program to support the mental wellbeing of farmers on the north coast.
The program will enable the non-government, Northern Rural Financial Counselling Service (RFCS), which is jointly funded by the federal and NSW governments, to offer mental health coaching to a community that has endured an onslaught of drought, bushfires, floods, and biosecurity threats, as well as fluctuating commodity prices.
The pilot, which will run until September 2025, is part of an initiative designed by the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development and Rural Adversity Mental Health Program.
It aims to provide integrated support to NSW primary producers in the Northern Rivers region, which has weathered the cumulative impact of multiple natural disasters since 2017.
RFCS’s mental health coaches will complement the service’s financial counselling and will work directly with farmers to provide free, confidential and one-on-one support.
As part of the pilot the RFCS will employ at least one mental health counsellor in addition to financial counsellors currently working to support local farmers.
The organisation is well placed to deliver this initiative, having helped farmers, fishers, forestry growers and harvesters, and small rural businesses vulnerable to financial hardship for more than 30 years.
Help urgently needed
With national surveys showing that the mental health of farmers is at an historic low, this investment in the mental wellbeing will support farmers on the north coast as they continue to adapt to a changing climate, manage risks, recover and re-build their businesses.
More than 40 percent of NSW is in drought or drought affected as at 11 May 2024. At the same time the mental wellbeing of farmers has not had a chance to recover from the previous drought, due to compounding issues of COVID19, fires, floods and biosecurity disease risks and outbreaks.
The National Farmer Wellbeing Report 2023, found that 30 per cent of farmers have attempted self-harm or suicide, and found that natural disasters, including drought, were the main trigger for the decline in mental health, followed by financial stress, inflation, and cost pressures.
In recent years the North Coast of NSW has experienced cumulative, and consecutive natural disasters and adverse events including biosecurity risks of Red Imported Fire Ant, Varroa Mite, Oyster QX and Prawn White Spot in addition to current drought conditions.
New approach
Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty said, ‘What the last drought taught us is that farmers don’t necessarily want a handout – they are capable and resilient decision makers – however they do want support.
‘This pilot demonstrates a new approach to providing mental health welling support alongside financial counselling advice. This additional investment in the Rural Financial Counselling Service will ensure producers in the RFCS’s northern service area are supported with the best possible mental health advice.
‘A financial challenge doesn’t occur in isolation and is often intrinsically linked to a variety of factors including emotional and mental wellbeing impacts.’
Minister for Mental Health and the North Coast Rose Jackson said, ‘An unpredictable and difficult climate can place a significant burden on our farmers, which is why it’s crucial to deliver the support they need.
‘Our priority is to ensure people in regional communities know where to go, who to turn to, and what help is available.
This new pilot leverages the local expertise of our dedicated RAMHP coordinators to ensure the program is tailor made to meet people in regional communities where they are at.’
Saffin pleased
NSW Parliamentary Secretary for Disaster Recovery and State Member for Lismore, Janelle Saffin said, ‘I am very pleased to see that this initiative will be placed with the Rural Financial Counselling Service as they provide wholistic services and care to our famers and rural people.
‘They fully understand the stresses and strains and since 2017 there have been compounding disasters and challenges that they “get”. The RFCS are trusted and will do a great job with this.
‘I also thank Minister Moriarty for listening and responding well to the RFCS about the best way to give a wraparound service to our rural communities and applaud the Northern NSW Region RFCS CEO Gary Goldberg and his team for their outstanding work.’
Gary Goldberg, Chief Executive Officer Rural Financial Counselling Services NSW, Northern Region, said, ‘Since 2017, the Northern Rivers region has faced one disaster after another – cyclones, drought, bushfire, floods, Covid-19.
‘Hardly a week goes by without one of our financial counsellors coming to me for advice because a client is showing signs of serious distress, feeling overwhelmed and/or experiencing severe depression.
Our financial counsellors work hard to build a mutual trust and rapport with our clients to help them through times of financial stress.
Katrina McDougall, RFCS financial counsellor, said, ‘We like to go out to meet our clients face to face whenever possible to make a connection and build trust.
‘I am so pleased that Rural Financial Counselling Services NSW Northern Region will be able to offer a mental health service to support this community in a meaningful way.’
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